More than 120 events involving 175 authors from Scotland and beyond are set to showcase a broad range of subjects and genres at the Aye Write festival from May 19-28.
The talks, readings and discussions will take place at the Mitchell Library and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, with tickets on sale now by clicking here.
Festival organisers say that: “A range of current topics and cultural themes underpin our carefully curated programme, with content focusing on subjects as diverse as the cost-of-living crisis, the war in Ukraine, health and wellbeing, the environment and climate crisis, today’s political environment in the UK, sport, and the criminal justice system.”
Here are 10 of the well kent faces making an appearance at this year’s event – and what they’ll be talking about.
5. Coinneach MacLeod
Better known as the Hebridean Baker, Coinneach MacLeod will be at the Royal Concert Hall on May 28 at 6pm talking about his book My Scottish Island Kitchen. A global TikTok baking sensation he is serving up a fresh selection of exciting new recipes, charming stories and breathtaking photography from the Hebridean Islands. The landscapes, stories, history and culture of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland are what make our islands unique. Coinneach MacLeod will share the recipes that he loves that are filled with tradition, Scottish flavours and local ingredients to inspire us all to bake more. Photo: Contributed
6. Robin Ince
Comedian and Infinite Monkey Cage presenter Robin Ince will be at the Royal Concert Hall on May 27 at 4.15pm talking about his book Bibliomaniac: An Obsessive’s Tour Of The Bookshops Of Britain. Packed with witty anecdotes and tall tales, it takes the reader on a journey across Britain as Robin explores his lifelong love of bookshops and books - and also tries to find out just why he can never have enough of them. It is the story of an addiction and a romance, and also of an occasional points failure just outside Oxenholme. Photo: Jo Hale
7. Janey Godley
Award winning comedian, actress and writer Janey Godley’s will be talking about her latest book Nothing Left Unsaid at the Royal Concert Hall on May 26 at 7.45pm. It tells the story of Senga and Sharon spanning Glasgow in 1976 and 2019. In 2019 Sharon has rushed home at the news her mother has been admitted to hospital. It’s clear Senga‘s life is coming to an end. As Sharon gathers family and friends together to say goodbye, Senga, as always, does things in her own mysterious way. In 1976 life in the tenements of Shettleston is a daily struggle. You need your wits about you to survive, and your friends. Senga has both in spades: she is part of the Shettleston ‘menage’ alongside her friends Bunty, Sandra, Philomena and Isa, and whatever life hands to them – cheating husbands, poverty, illness, threats and abuse – they throw something back just as hard. Photo: John Phillips
8. Sally Magnusson
Newsreader, presenter and author Sally Magnusson will be talking about her book Music in the Dark at the Royal Concert Hall on May 21 at 7.45pm. It is an exploration of unlooked-for love in later life, its contrariness and its awkward surprising joys – a story of resilience, memory and resurrection. Photo: WPA Pool